Fludrocortisone Side Effects

For the Consumer

Along with its needed effects, fludrocortisone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking fludrocortisone:

Less common or rare

Abdominal pain

agitation or combativeness

anxiety

back or rib pain

blindness

bloating

bloody or black, sticky stools

blurred vision

burning in stomach

changes in skin color

chest pain or tightness

chills

confusion

constipation

convulsions

cough

coughing up blood

darkened urine

decrease in height

decreased range of motion

decreased urine output

decreased vision

depression

difficulty swallowing

dry mouth

expressed fear of impending death

eye pain

eyeballs bulge out of eye sockets

fainting or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

fast or slow heartbeat

fever

flushed dry skin

fractures in arms or legs without any injury

fractures in the neck or back

fruit-like breath odor

hallucinations

headache

heartburn

hives

increased fat deposits on face, neck, and trunk

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

irregular breathing or shortness of breath

irregular heartbeat

joint pain

lack or slowing of normal growth in children

walking with a limp

loss of appetite

loss of consciousness

muscle cramps or pain

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg

pains in stomach or side, possibly radiating to the back

patients taking oral medicines or insulin for diabetes may need to increase the amount they take

pounding in the ears

problems with wound healing

redness and itching of skin

redness of eyes

redness of face

severe or continuing dizziness

severe weakness of arms and legs

skin rash

sweating

swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

swelling of nasal passages, face, or eyelids

swollen neck veins

tearing of eyes

unexplained weight loss

unusual tiredness or weakness

vision changes

weight gain

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects of fludrocortisone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Acne, pimples

bruising, large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin

change in color of skin or nails

increased sweating

loss of muscle mass

menstrual changes

muscle weakness

reddish purple lines on arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin

sleeplessness, trouble sleeping, unable to sleep

small, red, or purple spots on skin

swelling of abdominal or stomach area, full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach

thin, fragile skin

unusual increase in hair growth

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to fludrocortisone: compounding powder, oral tablet

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension, edema, cardiac enlargement, and congestive heart failure.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, and peptic ulcer disease. Pancreatitis, ulcerative esophagitis, gastrointestinal perforation and hemorrhage also have been reported.[Ref]

Endocrine

Corticosteroids may induce glucose intolerance by reducing the utilization of glucose in tissues and increasing hepatic glucose output. Diabetes mellitus requiring diet modifications and hypoglycemic agents has developed in some patients.

Adrenal suppression can persist for twelve months or longer following long-term corticosteroid therapy.[Ref]

Endocrine side effects have included decreased glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia resulting in diabetes-like symptoms and/or increased requirements of hypoglycemic agents in diabetics. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity has been suppressed for 12 months or longer following long-term fludrocortisone administration. Cushingoid appearance has been a common occurrence with chronic therapy and hirsutism or virilism, impotence, and menstrual irregularities have occurred.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included significant sodium retention, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. Other side effects have included hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and negative nitrogen balance due to increased protein catabolism.[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included impairment in cell-mediated immunity and increased susceptibility to bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. Immune responses to skin tests have been suppressed.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Corticosteroid myopathy presenting as weakness and wasting of the proximal limb and girdle muscles has occurred. Symptoms resolved following cessation of therapy.

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myopathy, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, tendon rupture (particularly the Achilles tendon), pathologic fracture of long bones, and aseptic necrosis of bone. Aseptic necrosis has been reported to most often affect the femoral head.[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, and posterior subcapsular cataracts.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included psychoses, personality or behavioral changes, and pseudotumor cerebri.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included bruising, ecchymosis, petechiae, striae, delayed/impaired wound healing, acne, hirsutism, and hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included platelet alterations resulting in thrombolic events, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included reversible increases in serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included a glucocorticoid withdrawal syndrome (not related to adrenal insufficiency) following abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroid.[Ref]

Related treatment guides

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of materials provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.